In a continuing effort to inform residents on what is happening in the Township, I will write a regular update for the community. The briefings include issues being handled by my office, elected officials, and Township department heads. 

Township is providing information and updates on H1N1 virus 
I want to make sure that our community can get reliable information about the ongoing “swine flu” situation, so the Township will be offering updates from the state Department of Health and Senior Services on our Web site. You can go to www.CherryHill-NJ.com for real-time information from the state, with links to the Centers for Disease Control. The Department of Health and Senior Services also has opened up a 24-hour toll-free information line for both the general public and health-care providers. That number is (866) 321-9571. 

CH Police Dept invites residents to first ‘Community Meeting’ 
Traditionally, police respond to calls, investigate crimes and make arrests. But this process alone does not reduce crime- such public safety issues are community problems, and no single agency can solve complex social problems by itself. However, by building a partnership between the police, community and local government, safety can be increased in our neighborhoods and business districts. 

The CHPD Community Policing Unit recognizes a shared responsibility between the police and the community, and works to foster a problem-solving partnership, with officers working closely with the members of the community, addressing the service needs of the local citizens, and encouraging the residents to participate in the solving of community problems. The focus is on improving communications between police and the community, because the exchange of information between the two entities is essential in the prevention of crime. In this spirit, the CHPD is inviting Township residents to attend a 'Community Meeting' on Tuesday, May 12, at the Cherry Hill Public Library (1100 King's Hwy N) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will address public safety concerns and discuss ways to resolve them. For more information about this event or other Community Policing Unit programs, please call (856) 488-7813 or visit www.CherryHillPolice.com. 

Art Blooms festival has another successful year 
Ending on May 3 with a sold-out concert at the Croft Farm Arts Center, the Cherry Hill Art Blooms festival thrived this year. Art Blooms is a time-honored and important annual celebration of the arts, culture and the renewing theme of the spring season in the Township. This festival provides an opportunity for everyone in the community, from young to old, to watch and participate in the many acts and exhibitions. Making the arts affordable and accessible to our population has been a priority for the Cherry Hill Arts Board, and they have worked many hard and long hours with the Township to produce this week long offering at little to no cost to the taxpayer. From art exhibits to poetry readings the board and its volunteers always go above and beyond to provide a diverse collection of cultural offerings for our Township. To keep up with arts events and see pictures from Art Blooms go to www.CherryHillArts.Blogspot.com 

Summer newsletter and Rec brochure soon arriving in mailboxes 
The second installment of the combined pink “Cherry Hill Happenings” newsletter and the Recreation Department Community Program Brochure should arrive in mailboxes the first week in May. This publication is your guide to Township news, upcoming events and summer activities. Once you receive the booklet, you can register for any programs or classes listed inside, including our popular “Morning Fun” and “Adventure” summer camps. For more information, or to request to have a copy mailed to your home, please contact the Recreation Department at (856) 488-7868 or email Recreation@CHTownship.com. 

Township receives $220K grant from DOT for Covered Bridge Road 
Cherry Hill is set to receive an allotment of $220,000 from the state’s Department of Transportation Trust Fund for reconstruction of Covered Bridge Road – meaning that the critical first phase of restoring this community thoroughfare will be implemented at no cost to the Township. I will continue to update you on the endeavor, and, here at Town hall, we will continue to apply for similar grants and aid for other capital-improvement projects. 

Follow Township news and announcements on Twitter 
By now, most people have heard of Twitter, a Web site that allows for short, live updates from its millions of members. Cherry Hill township has now joined this cultural phenomenon in an effort to keep up with technology and provide constituents with up-to-the-minute access to news, events and announcements. To become a follower of the Township, visit Twitter through a link on the Cherry Hill Web site: www.CherryHill-NJ.com, and click on the 'Twitter' icon. Or, go to www.Twitter.com directly, and search ‘CherryHillTwp.’ In order to read and/or receive updates, you must sign up to join Twitter, but the process is easy, secure and- dare I say- fun. For more information on our communication initiatives, call my office at (856) 488-7878. 


For up-to-the-minute updates on any subject, call my office at 856.488.7878 or visit our homepage. 

Sincerely, 

Bernie Platt 
Mayor